Elaine King's Real Estate Blog

Memorial Day passed with many veteran residents wearing hats to show their service.  Hopefully, with the rains now stopped, bocce can resume, water aerobics will be more enjoyable, and more folks will be out for daily walks.  Summerset is an “over 55” development, with resale homes coming on the market almost weekly.  There is a strong demand for detached homes priced under $300K. 

Currently in Summerset, there are 35 homes for sale, and that is LESS than 2% of all homes in Summerset!  Current Summerset homes FOR SALE were built from 1997-2003, with sizes range from 1048-2857 square feet, and prices ranging from $180-$550K.  The best values per square foot are resales that need updating: a listing on Tayberry at $162/sq ft. and a bank owned on McPrince for $167/sq ft.  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, but may have original kitchens/bathrooms, pastel carpets, wallpaper and brass fixtures; items which current buyers may want replaced.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  You may want to rent first and test the waters.  See if you like living in a golf course community?  Find out for yourself how friendly the residents of Summerset can be, and participate in all Summerset events.  Rentals start at $1250 and go quickly when they come up on the market.

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset I, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own HOA, recreation center, pool/hot tub, tennis courts, work out area, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

This Saturday, from 8AM-1PM, is Summerset’s Yearly garage sale.  Once a year, the general public has access to all four (4) Summerset locations to see the treasures you have to purchase.   Summerset is an OVER 55 community in Brentwood, CA (eastern Contra Costa County).  Summerset 2 is located off Balfour, just east of the Hwy 4 Bypass.  Summerset 3 & 4 are north of Balfour, off of Fairview drive.  Summerset 1 is south of Balfour, off Central.  Come early and enjoy our hospitality, but bring your wallets! 

Happy May!  Don’t you love this sunshine, with cooler mornings and perfect temperature evenings?  Now that May is here, the pool is now open at Summerset; awaiting folks to enjoy a water aerobics class, time shared with grandchildren or just an evening swimming routine.  The Brentwood Golf Course, which runs throughout Summerset, has a much busier parking lot.  The bocce courts are now being played, and people are working in the community garden and in their yards. 

Currently in Summerset, there are 29 homes for sale; sizes from 1250-2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $250K-$549K.  The best values  per square foot are an occupied BANK OWNED home located on Liberty Lane, priced at $155 per square foot and a private-party sale on Tayberry Lane,  priced at $168 sq ft.  (Both properties in Summerset 2)  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, however few have granite countertops, wood floors or stainless appliances that are now important to today’s buyers.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  Renting is a great way to test the waters; however, very few rental homes are currently available in Summerset.  There is a high demand for rental properties between $1250-$1600/month.  Click here for rentals; link good for 30 days!

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities, each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

Brentwood, located 50 miles east of San Francisco has two “over 55″ active adult communities: Summerset and Trilogy Vineyards.  Here are two of the fun events taking place in Brentwood this weekend….

A semi-annual fundraiser for Garin Elementary School’s Library featuring 29 vendors will be held on Saturday April 16th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Summerset 4’s Orchard View Lodge. 770 Centennial Drive, Brentwood. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance from 10AM-noon.

Come tour the new model at the Vineyards’ Tour Center on Saturday, April 16th and Sunday, April 17th from 11am – 2pm for hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and the grand unveiling of their first model home in the new Marsh Design Series… created for those who place a premium on function while enjoying form. Be one of the first to see the newest addition to Trilogy at The Vineyards.

In the 1st quarter of 2011, 10 homes SOLD in Summerset, an over 55 “active adult” community located in Brentwood, CA (50 miles east of San Francisco); compared to 16 homes which sold Jan-Mar 2010.  (-60% vs YAG)   On the low end of the range was a duet at $180,000; compared to a similar unit sold in 2010 for $200,000.  The highest sale was $382,000 for a 1793 square foot home; compared to over $500K for a 2000+ sq foot home in 2010.  The sales data shows that buyers are now more price-sensitive on their home purchases than they were in 2010, and homes priced below $300,000 move quickly if they are in good shape.  Click here for a link to homes sold in the 1st Quarter 2011

Summerset is an over 55 “active adult” community, and made up of 4 communities, each with its own HOA, recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, bocce courts, tennis courts, pool tables, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

Should you have any questions about Summerset, call me.   I live in Summerset and would enjoy sharing the opportunity to tell others about Summerset. 

Spring has arrived in Summerset with trees & plants in full blossom and residents out walking and working in their yards.  Currently in Summerset, there are 27 homes for sale; sizes from 984-2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $189-$949K. 

Currently, there are three (3)l “best values” in Summerset, based on best value per square foot.  All 3 are priced near $160 sq foot.  The first is a SHORT SALE located on McPrince.  The 2^nd is on Tayberry and has over 2100 sq feet.  It needs some updating and cosmetic work on the walls & woodwork from wheelchair encounters, but it is light and bright. The 3^rd is on St. Edmonds and is a bank owned home.  It also needs some work, and shows an obvious interior water spot on the dining area ceiling.  All other homes are going for $200 sq foot, so these three are a value.  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, with most buyers wanting to update with granite countertops or stainless appliances that were not so important when these homes were built 8+ years ago.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  You may want to rent first and test the waters.  See if you like living in a golf course community?  Find out for yourself how friendly the residents of Summerset can be, and participate in all Summerset events.  Click here for rentals; link good for 30 days!

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

March is here and the clocks are almost ready to spring-forward!  This is the month of green beer, mardi gras, and the start of the home-buying season.  If you are over 55 and want an affordable “over 55” retirement area that is close to shopping and a major city, think Summerset; Brentwood’s original active adult community.

Currently in Summerset, there are 26 homes for sale; sizes from 1121-2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $225-$550K.  The best value per square foot is a SHORT SALE located on Centennial Drive, priced at $155 per square foot for 1582 sq feet.  This home is located on the golf course and has granite countertops.  Unfortunately, this home is priced under comps in the area, but you may get lucky with the bank accepting your offer!  Most homes in Summerset are gently used, without granite countertops or stainless appliances and tile/wood floors that were not so important when these homes were built 7+ years ago.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

February had only two homes sell in Summerset.  Both were the same model and on the same street.  Here is a link to those homes.

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.  The monthly HOA’s range in price from $84 – $125 (approx), depending on the community.  Golf Club at Brentwood has its course run throughout Summerset; this is a public course.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call.

Trilogy is a destination and a lifestyle that is built to exceed your expectations!   There are two Trilogy Locations in the San Francisco East Bay: Trilogy Rio Vista and Trilogy Vineyards located in Brentwood. 

At Trilogy Rio Vista, prices start at the high $100K for a new home; re-sales are going for much less.  This location makes you feel that you are hours away from the Bay Area, when you are located in the heart of the Delta.  Shea builds their homes with a very high quality control level in their building with energy efficiency products, green construction, eco-friendly ventilation, and interior/exterior water conservation items.  The clubhouse is gorgeous with indoor pool, indoor running track, cyber-café, weights/work-out rooms and massage/sauna area.  Trilogy Rio Vista is currently having a SALE, too, with 11% off of the total purchase price.   

Trilogy at the Vineyards (Brentwood) has magnificent views of Mt. Diablo, with a wine country setting among active vineyards and olive tree orchards.  Home prices start in the low $400K for  1750 square feet.  The focal point of The Vineyards is the community’s spacious 34,000 sq foot clubhouse, Club Los Meganos.  This facility is scheduled to be completed in the next few months, and will have four restaurants: a cafe, gourmet cooking studio, poolside cabana service, spa lounge, and full-service catering kitchen. A full-service spa is included, with an indoor and outdoor treatment rooms for nails, skin & massage.  There will be two (2) pools (inside and outside) and an expansive fitness center with dedicated areas for cardio, strength training and women’s-only workouts.  

You owe it to yourself to discover the TRILOGY LIFESTYLE!  For a personal tour, give me a call at 925-852-1659.

It is Super Bowl Weekend, and we are blessed with above average temperatures.  People are outside enjoying the sun, walking and taking part in other outside activities.   This weather makes us feel like Spring, and that is the start of the house buying season.

Summerset in Brentwood has much to offer those 55 & over: pool, hot tub, bridge, bunko, pinochle, poker, pool/billards, singing, tennis, weight control, line dancing, bocce, poker, ceramics and more.  Unfortunately, no Super Bowl events were planned.    

New listings come on the market almost weekly, and there is a strong demand for detached homes priced under $300K.  Currently in Summerset, there are 21 homes for sale; sizes from 1268 – 2857 square feet, with prices ranging from $225-$550K.  Most homes in Summerset are gently used.  However, most buyers will want to update with granite countertops or stainless appliances that were not so important when these homes were built 7+ years ago.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days)

Not quite sure you are ready to live in a retirement community?  You may want to rent first and test the waters.  See if you like living in a golf course community?  Find out for yourself how friendly the residents of Summerset can be, and participate in all Summerset events.  Click here for rentals; link good for 30 days!

Summerset is located in Brentwood and made up of 4 communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards).  Each community has its own home owner’s association (HOA), recreation center, pool/hot tub, work out area, and activity director.  Once you are a resident of Summerset, you will receive a monthly activity calendar, and can attend activities at any of the four Summerset locations.

I love living in Summerset!  For more information, give me a call at 925-852-1659

It is January 2011, the sun is shining brightly, and the weather is expected to be in the 60’s for the next seven days.  Welcome to Brentwood, CA (50 miles east of San Francisco) and some of its retirement benefits. Summerset is located in Brentwood, CA and has 2,000 homes in four (4) communities: Summerset 1, Summerset II (The Palms), Summerset III (Vista), and Summerset IV (The Orchards). 

The homes in Summerset are gently used, and most buyers will usually want to update these resale homes with granite countertops and stainless appliances that were not so important when these homes were built in 1994-2004.   You can also keep or replace the sometimes found mauve and turquoise carpets.

Do you want to hear a great statistic in this difficult East Bay real estate market? There are currently 19 homes on the MLS for sale, and that is less than 1% of all homes in the development – WOW! 

Current prices range from $190K for 984 square feet- to- $549K for 2571 square feet.  To view all current Summerset homes for sale click here!  (Link is only good for 30 days) For more information on Summerset, call me, I live here.